Santa Con in Hoboken aims to boost business in wake of Hurricane Sandy

Hoboken’s annual Santa Con will take on a much different form this year following Hurricane Sandy.

This year’s event, called “Ho Ho Ho 4 Hoboken!” will occur Saturday, Dec. 22, from 2 to 9 p.m., with a focus on drawing people to the Mile Square City to support local businesses that have been struggling in Sandy’s aftermath.

The event is being organized by Rory Chadwick, owner of the Midtown Authentic consignment shop at 728 Washington St.

Chadwick is devoted to bringing in people to his beloved city to help out the small local businesses like his own.

The format of this event differs from the all-day, sometimes sloppy and chaotic bar crawl that has become synonymous with Santa Cons throughout the country.

“It’s not really a Santa Con,” Chadwick explains. “This is a business call that lets anyone in town participate. Instead of picking a few bars, we are opening it up to anyone who has a business, making it much more of a community event.”

Money raised throughout the day will go to Rebuild Hoboken, an organization that provides both short- and long-term financial support to recover from damages caused by Sandy.

“The reason I am doing this is because there hasn’t been a push to let people know that Hoboken is open,” Chadwick said. “We got battered by the hurricane, but we are still here.”

People will pick up bracelets at The Madison Bar and Grill, 1316 Washington St., and Black Bear Bar & Grill, 205 Washington St., allowing them access to the plethora of deals going on throughout the city.

“I’ve gotten a couple of people who have said thanks for doing this,” Chadwick said. “When I have some spare time, if there is a way I can help my town, I am the first person to offer my help.”

Chadwick currently has 40 local businesses signed on to participate in the event. Along with the help of Sera Coughlin, he hopes to ultimately wind up with 100.

“I am hoping this brings people to Hoboken,” Chadwick said. “I hope people come here, have a good time, see how friendly everyone is, then keep coming back in the future.”

In addition to the deals throughout the city, Chadwick says that Hoboken resident Lisa Vickery is organizing a Christmas Caroling group.

If the event is a success as Chadwick anticipates, it could help local businesses, giving them a jolt of optimism heading into the New Year.

“I feel bad for these people watching their front door, waiting for somebody to walk in,” Chadwick said. “If people come out to this event, it could put smiles on people’s faces. This could restore people’s faith that we are going to get through this.”

For information, including a list of participating businesses and their specials, visit www.hohoho4hoboken.com/. To donate or purchase special deals for the day visit www.indiegogo.com/hohoho4hoboken.